Unison Research was founded in 1987 by a small group of audiophile enthusiasts led by Giovanni Maria Sacchetti. Signor Sacchetti was born in 1945 and inherited from his father – an accomplished pianist – both an understanding of and passion for music.
From a very early age he began to experiment with building amplifiers, which of course in those pre-transistor days were all valve-powered. After completing a degree course in electronics he dedicated himself to teaching for 25 years, while at the same time developing and designing all the products for Unison Research. Among the first products to wear the Unison Research badge were the GLOWY, a full function preamplifier using 5 twin-triodes in an all-valve circuit, and the RULER, a fully solid state amplifier with an output of 80 watts per channel.
These were followed by the NIMBLY, an all-valve power amplifier using KT88s tubes in a push-pull circuit. The NIMBLY was switchable between triode and pentode operation to give 25 watts or 50 watts according to the mode selected.
The constant search for improvements to sound quality led Unison Research to more thoroughly investigate and experiment with the design of integrated amplifiers. The motivation was not because integrated amplifiers are either easier or less expensive to produce, but because integration can give real benefits by optimizing the interface between preamplifier and power amplifier stages, and also by eliminating interconnecting cables which, as well as adding cost, introduce (even in the case of the best cables) some degradation to the sound.
The first integrated amplifier introduced by Unison Research was the TRIODE 20, which used two pairs of push-pull EL34s in a Class AB circuit.
An important page in the history of Unison Research was written with the introduction of the SIMPLY TWO. This amplifier marked the beginning of a long series of models based around a single-ended Class A output stage.
The SIMPLY TWO, with its 12 watts per channel of power, enjoyed enormous success. In less than 4 years nearly 10,000 examples of the model were produced and sold throughout the world, most notably in Japan and other Far East markets. The SIMPLY TWO became a renowned audio product and gained accolades and awards throughout the world.
The larger SIMPLY FOUR belongs to the same family and used twin pairs of parallel EL34s in the output stage to produce 24 watts per channel; twice the power of the SIMPLY TWO. A triode-coupled version of the SIMPLY FOUR was also produced, also using EL34 valves in the output stage.
Since those beginnings, Unison Research has produced a staggeringly long list of preamplifier and power amplifier models. Along the way they have pioneered the use of the 845 vacuum tube for home hi-fi components. This work has resulted in such models as the Absolute 845 integrated amplifier, which is one of the most awarded hi-fi components in history.
In 1998, in order to give new impetus and direction to Unison Research, Advanced Research In Audio (A.R.I.A.) was formed to act as the parent company to the Unison Research and Opera loudspeaker brands. Three new partners joined the board of the new company, each with a specialist skill and function, but the new product design and overall direction of company has remained firmly in the capable hands of Signor Sacchetti. This change has not only served to safeguard the integrity of the brand, but it has also ensured that the ideals upon which Unison Research was founded have been maintained and strengthened.
In 2000 Giovanni Nasta became the managing director of Unison Research, and brought with him his business experience and fresh ideas for the advancement of the company, such as the addition of engineer and professor Leopoldo Rossetto of the prestigious Padua University.
Along with Giovanni Nasta and Giovanni Sacchetti, Signor Rossetto conceived and designed the ‘hybrid’ tube /solid state circuits that opened the door for a whole new line of electronics under the UNICO brand.
In order to realize the vast theoretical potential of hybrid designs, in terms of sound quality, power output, and long term reliability, Unison Research has established an ongoing research and development relationship with the University of Padua. This project, headed by Professor Rossetto, has already given birth to a number of successful products: the first of these being the SR1, a tube/ solid state hybrid integrated amplifier, which was the father of the now world renowned UNICO product line.
No description of Unison Research products would be complete without a mention of their styling and aesthetics, which has made the brand instantly recognizable all over the world. The people at Unison Research firmly believe that any piece of audio equipment should give pleasure not only to the ear but also to the eye. Therefore, each of their products has a distinctive styling, characterized by the use of fine materials such as hand crafted wood for the trim pieces, and stainless steel and turned aluminum for the control knobs and heat reflector plates. Unison Research constantly looks at unique materials to incorporate into their designs, such as the local Venetian Murano glass used in the P40 and P70 push-pull valve amplifiers.
Osage Audio Products is happy to have been named a retail dealer for Unison Research hi-fi components and loudspeakers. Unison Research offers exceptional performance and beauty. If you have questions about the Unison Research product line, or would like to purchase a Unison Research component, please call us at 573-696-3551 or email usat your convenience. We are open late and weekends.
Unison Research products are available only by telephone, in our showrooms, or by email. They are not available in our Online Store.
Learn more about Unison Research and their products by visiting their website.
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